“Jesus went to the Temple, and while he was teaching there, the leading priests and the elders of the people came to him. They said, ‘What authority do you have to do these things? Who gave you this authority?’” (Matthew 21:23 NCV)

Authority was important to the Teachers of the Law. When they taught, they always cited the authority of rabbis that had taught on the same subject earlier. If they introduced anything new, it was an addition to what previous rabbis had taught. They didn’t believe that any person had authority to teach without referring to the authority of the past. And so, they asked Jesus about His authority and Jesus turned the tables on them by asking the same sort of trick question they used against Him. Jesus always gave an answer – the Pharisees wouldn’t because they realized they were in trouble however they answered.

Someone asked me why I thought I had the authority to write and post what I do. Why is what I say right, compared to others. First, while I believe what I’m writing is correct, I don’t think my interpretation is the only way to look at things. Second, I hope that you always judge what I write by the teachings of the Bible as a whole, not just the verse I use. My authority comes from the fact that I’m a child of God and my teaching is harmonious with biblical teaching. If it ever isn’t, then I’m willing to retract what I wrote and rewrite to make sure my teaching is harmonious with God’s word.

Lord, remind me that anything I teach should always be in accord with Your word. When I stray, draw me back into Your way.

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